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About 30 schools in Australia have been fully or partially closed after a warning over asbestos risks in children’s sand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A recall notice for the coloured products, which were found to contain traces of tremolite asbestos, was issued by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) on Wednesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The regulator said there was a “low” risk that the asbestos could become airborne or fine enough for inhalation, but it “may still pose a risk”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Friday, at least 15 schools and seven preschools in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) – where Canberra is situated – were fully closed, with six others partially closed as a precaution. There are also reports of a school closure in Queensland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ACCC said tremolite asbestos, a naturally occurring asbestos, had been detected in some samples after laboratory testing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But it added that respiratory asbestos had not been detected in any of the samples and the release of respiratory asbestos fibres from the sand was “unlikely” unless it was “processed by mechanical means” such as crushing or pulverising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Asbestos, a prohibited substance in Australia, becomes dangerous when fibres are breathed in. They can damage the lungs and cause diseases including cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sand products, which are imported from China and sold throughout Australia between 2020 and 2025, are sold by several stationery supply chains, including one of the country’s most popular retailers, Officeworks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The products set out in the recall notice<\/a> are labelled as Kadink Sand (1.3kg), Educational Colours – Rainbow Sand (1.3kg) and Creatistics – Coloured Sand (1kg).<\/p>\n\n\n\n